How do activities like storytelling, creative writing and reading fit into our busy lives? Just surviving takes up a lot of time these days, as does sorting out a credible version of truth from mass media sources. Storytelling, by suspending disbelief, frees and nurtures us. The telling or sharing of a story is often supported by many. Whether you are reading a good book, listening to a live discussion, attending a literary event or watching your favourite show, there are a range of creative people working quietly behind the scenes who have made that moment possible.
Story telling can be visual or aural too. Recently I visited Geelong to see the travelling Archibald Prize Exhibition. Every painting told a story, and those stories drew people together to observe, enjoy, discuss and wonder. I also stopped in at the Geelong Library and discovered some quirky treasures at a Zine Market there.
A creative writer ‘goes into a world’ to tell a story and while this world can be rich with colour and imagination there can also be an element of loneliness and isolation. Connecting, creating and sharing work at literary events provides vital opportunities for writers, increasing the visibility of their work and finding new audiences.
In late September Minds Shine Bright travelled to Bendigo to deliver the Short Form Frolics Workshop at the Bendigo Writers Council’s monthly meeting at the Bendigo Library. Writers were paired up and the pieces created were inspiring, moving, funny and innovative. A delicious supper provided by Penny and the team, gave us all the opportunity to chat and mingle in between writing and readings. A little magic happened when writers inspired and were inspired by other writers.
While reading is generally a solitary pursuit, the reviewing and sharing of books connects readers with each other to express and share their views and discover new books. I recently followed the ABC’s Top 100 Books of the past 25 years. As well as hearing from some of the author’s and listening to the countdown I enjoyed the audience participation. It’s comforting to see that so many people are passionate about reading books.
The success of a new book is dependent on its discoverability and enjoyment by a group of readers. Large publishers have strong connections with bookshops, brilliant publicists, a reputation for producing quality and enduring literature and strong advertising reach and influence. Lower entry costs to printing, distribution and online marketplaces are creating new pathways to success for smaller presses and self-published authors and greater variety for readers. At the grass roots level some writers are collaborating more actively and forming communities to help build their readership.
As a tiny, small press publisher with almost no budget there is an ongoing need to experiment with and find ways to engage new readers. Part of this is building a presence within the arts and the wider reading community about what Minds Shine Bright represents, part of it is ensuring that our anthologies are produced professionally with care, flair and careful curation, to best showcase the talent of our published writers and poets, and part of it is making meaningful connections with readers and writers.
Book launches, festivals, workshop, bookshops and libraries are safe havens where we can escape for a moment from the compounding stresses of life, corporate mandates and the incessant flow of information, and focus on words and the power of the imagination. Writers need safe havens too where they can flourish, shine and be encouraged and supported to keep writing.
Reading choice is a very personal thing. Reading a really good book gives readers a sense of pleasure, satisfaction and an enriched world view.
Reading a book is a slow, quiet event—a pause—and through the process of reading we’re often entertained, surprised and may even learn some new things too. A well written book can be savoured slowly with each paragraph like a painting to enjoy or it can be consumed in one or two sittings, leaving readers looking forward to more.
Every book is a journey, an offering by the writer that can create a connection with the reader through time and space.
Making time to read regularly helps. This year, in addition to reading and judging the entries from the Places Writing Competition, I’m reading novels by authors from different countries and cultures, short story and poetry collections, and some captivating non-fiction too.
Kate Foulds is the writer of ‘Acorn’, a short form fiction piece, from our very first anthology Confidence Minds Shine Bright Anthology 2022. Confidence was curated to follow the cycle of life and ‘Acorn’ is one of the first few stories. Kate’s writing journey has taken her from writing short form fiction, to publishing her first children’s book earlier this year and working on a long-term oral history project. I caught up with Kate for a chat with orange cake and coffee as we prepared for the Daylesford Words in Winter Festival. Kate inspired me with her energy and dedication to writing and telling stories.
Where did your love of writing and reading come from?
I grew up surrounded by words. Mum was a primary school teacher. She read to us and made-up stories about inanimate objects in my room. I would point to a hairbrush and Mum would make up a story about that. I grew up on a farm, and I spent lots of time playing outside. There was a stunning walnut tree outside the front verandah of a dilapidated old farmhouse on our property. That became my ‘Faraway Tree’. I spent many hours sitting on a bough of the tree daydreaming. I grew up loving Enid Blyton and L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables).
I had a little typewriter and an old wooden writing desk from the farmhouse.
How did you become a writer?
I attended Musk Primary School. We had a lucky dip box with pictures in it which we dipped into and made-up stories from. At Daylesford Secondary there was an annual school magazine which I started submitting to. In Year 10 and Year 12 I did work experience at the Ballarat Courier and was later offered short term employment while I was home for the university summer holiday break.
I worked as a PR consultant for an advertising and marketing agency in Bendigo and sat at a small desk with a lovely window view. From time to time I found myself gazing out the window writing poetry instead of media releases or other marketing material. One day I got a friendly tap on the shoulder from someone who worked in the accounting arm of the business.
“Have you got a computer at home? We have an old laptop in storage here.”
They lent it to me to write my poetry at home and I never really stopped.
I always had stories and poems tucked away in a draw. A turning point was having a piece published in an anthology as part of the Bendigo Writer’s Festival. The theme was Mother – Memories, Moments and Stories. At the time I wrote the piece I was a mother and daughter, but that particular work was inspired by after school visits to my Nana’s place in Daylesford. Amy Doak encouraged me to submit my writing to the Bendigo Writer’s Festival anthology. It was a heartwarming experience. Many people now know Amy as an accomplished award-winning YA crime author, but “back in the day” we worked in the same Bendigo based advertising and public relations agency. It was a small business. Who would have thought two of us would wind up writing books?
. . . When my son was three I had twin daughters so for a few years I only wrote seeds of ideas, sometimes from a funny thing they said or did.
There are different seasons in life. My children are now growing up, heading towards young adulthood, and I may be able to revisit some of those ideas, who knows. I love writing and I love words.
How did you find out about Minds Shine Bright?
When my story was published in the Bendigo Writers Festival anthology, that gave me the confidence to put more out into the world. I saw the competition on the Writers Victoria site and decided to submit a piece. I couldn’t believe it when Acorn was longlisted and shortlisted. Having the opportunity to read my work at the Wheeler Centre as part of the book launch was a little surreal and such a confidence builder. It was so special having my family there and being surrounded by a broad mix of fabulous writers who were brave enough to put their work out there. Some were seasoned writers and for others it was the first time they had read their work anywhere. You made some magic there, Amanda. Thank you!
How did the influences of family shape your writing?
‘Acorn’ is intergenerational. The idea was sparked from a memory down at the old Musk Railway station when I was a kid. There was a beautiful acorn tree there that I really loved. Acorn is a fiction piece but a number of elements, and certainly some of the rawness, was drawn from real experiences.
Family themes and influences seem to run through my work.
My debut children’s book, Grumps and the green fishing rod, is a fictionalised account of real events.
The book carries the stories of four generations through an old green fishing rod promised to a young boy who learns so much more than how to catch a fish while spending time out in nature with his grandfather.
Back to family again, I’m currently working on a long-term oral history project. In doing so, I’m drawing on the skills I learnt as a journalist and PR consultant.
What was it like to publish your first book?
It was a relief. A much earlier draft had been sitting in the bottom drawer. It was calling me to revisit the story. The key was to be honest with myself about my strengths and challenges so I could draw on extra resources where I needed them most. It took a village to create Grumps and the green fishing rod. I’m grateful for the support I’ve had from family, friends and the local community.
I’ve also been blessed to meet some lovely writerly people from further afield who have lifted or encouraged me immeasurably along the way.
What advice do you have for new writers?
Focus on compiling a collection of published pieces. When I applied for a post graduate journalism cadetship I’ve no doubt my portfolio of published work got me across the line.
This November discover Light and shadow anthology, Mind Shine Bright’s latest publication. See how forty three writers and poets interpret light and shadow in stories and poems. Light and Shadow anthology is on sale throughout November.
Booksellers and Libraries can order copies of Light and Shadow anthology too through our distributor Ingram or their partners. The full title is Light and Shadow Minds Shine Bright International Creative Writing Anthology Seasons 2 2025 and the ISBN is 978-0-6455231-6-4.
You can find some new reviews for Light & Shadow anthology on Library Thing following our recent give-away. There are also reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
I’m delighted to announce that Melbourne poet Jennifer Harrison will be joining me again as one of the judges of the Minds Shine Bright Places Writing Competition. Jennifer is an experienced judge, with extensive knowledge, wisdom, and a love of poetry.
As well as publishing the Places anthology in 2026 we will also be publishing a Young Writers’ Places anthology. We look forward to engaging young readers, writers and illustrators as part of this journey and we will provide further updates soon.
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